Types of Penguin

It might seem strange to say this, but it is hard to say exactly how many species of penguins there are living in the world today. Most authorities suggest between 16 to 19 species, with the 17 types of penguins listed on this website being the most common. However, even one of those is in doubt: the evidence indicates that the Royal penguin is really probably only a white-faced variant of the Macaroni penguin. Yet, there might still be 17 species of penguins – or even more: genetic and other evidence is accumulating to suggest that the penguins with the long crests known as Rockhopper penguins probably comprise two, or even three, different species. Similarly, Gentoo penguins may well consist of more than one species.

Each species belongs to a larger grouping of closely related species known as a genus. The living penguins comprise six genera (the plural of genus). You can see which species belong to each genus by looking under Types of Penguin in the Menu. Otherwise, if you wish to go straight to the information about a particular species, click on its picture below.

Getting Fed can Sometimes be Hard for Penguin Chicks

Podcast #1: Penguins Just Wanna Be Fish

Lloyd Spencer Davis hosts PenguinWorld's first podcast. This one is entitled, Penguins Just Wanna Be Fish. It explains how at heart penguins are very much birds, even if they have adopted an aquatic lifestyle similar to that of their distant fish ancestors.

It is this, however, that creates “the plight of the penguin” – the title of Lloyd’s award-winning book – whereby they must balance life in two worlds: the sea for feeding and the land for breeding.

To play the podcast, click on the play bar below.

illustration by: Sarah Wroot

Your browser leaves much to be desired.

PenguinWorld Facebook page

Please join PenguinWorld’s community Facebook page where we can share, show and discuss all things penguin. In the first instance, please go there now and “like” the page to get us started. And then post penguin stuff to your heart’s content…we’ll love it!

Super New Deal!

Lloyd Spencer Davis' award-winning book The Plight of the Penguin is now only $0.99c. Get the Children’s Book of the Year for a crazy price!

Find in PenguinWorld

PenguinWorld is designed to be the one-stop shop for all things penguin. Check out Professor Penguin for answers to any questions you may have, a Store selling books about penguins, and News and Features sections.